Belt structure



Jan 3, 1 950 w, DELANO 2,493,447

BELT STRUCTURE I Filed Oct. 14, 1946 ELIE-=1- INVENTOR. GEORGE M DfZAA/OA 270/? A/EYS Patented Jan. 3, 1950 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates generally to belts and refers more particularlyto belts of the type used in connection with wearing apparel wherein thefree ends of the belt are removably attached by a buckle.

In the present day manufacture of belts, it is common practice to loopone end of a flexible strap around one side of a buckle and to sew orotherwise secure the free end of the loop to the adjacent portion of thestrap. type of buckle employed requires piercing the strap atlongitudinally spaced points for selectively receiving the prong on thebuckle.

Belts of the above general type are expensive to manufacture and arenone too satisfactory in operation. They are costly to produce becauseof the complicated nature of the buckle because of the necessity ofpunching the strap. Also in cases where the strap is formed of fabricsor materials having relatively low tear strength, it is also necessaryto provide eyelets for the punched holes and this requirement alsoaddsto the cost of manufacture.

The foregoing type of belt is none too satisfactory in performance,because. the extent of adjustment is determined by thaspacing betweenthe prong receiving holes because of the difii culty in altering thelength of the strap. Due to the fact that the free end portion of thebelt. is equipped with the prong receiving holes, it is necessary todetach the opposite end of the strap from the buckle and remove therequired amount from this end of the strap. Moreover, the stresses aremore or less localized at the. hole or eyelet in the strap engaged bythe prong and this not only resuns in excessive wear of the strap but,in addition, increases the tendency for the strap to twist or cock whenin use.

It is one of the principal objects of this invention to overcome theabove objections by providing a belt having a buckle fixed to one endportion of the strap and constructed to removably hold the free end inplace by frictionally engaging the strap with the fixed end portionthereof. Thus the free end portion of the strap is effectively held bythe buckle without the nec-- essity of providing the buckle with aprongand without the necessity of punching or otherwiseforming holes inthe strap. As a result the cost of manufacture of the belt is not onlyappreciably reduced, but the overall length of the strap may be reducedby merely cuttin the required. amount off the free end of the strap.Moreover, adjustment of the belt to an infinite number of sizes may beaccomplished by merely In addition the sliding the free end portion ofthe belt over the fixed portion thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a belt structure whereinthe buckle is equipped with a center bar dividing the opening in thebuckle into two adjacent slots and wherein one end of the strap isthreaded through the slots over the bar with the portion adjacent thebar fixed to the latter. The above end of the strap projects beyond theadjacent side of the buckle a distance sufficient to act as a pilot tofacilitate threading the free end of the strap through the slots. Thearrangement is such that the portion of the strap threaded through theslots overlies the fixed end portion and frictional contact is effectedbetween the two layers throughout at least the length of the buckle. Asa result the free end portion of the strap is firmly held againstslipping and. twisting or cocking of the strap is avoided.

A further object of this invention is to provide a belt structurewherein the strap is either formed of a resinous thermoplastic materialor is formed of a material coated or impregnated with a therneoplasticresin, and wherein the bar on the buckle is heat welded or otherwisepermanently fixed to the strap.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a belt structurewherein the buckle is formed of a material having differentcharacteristics than the resinous material from which the strap isformed and wherein the bar on the buckle is provided with a sleeveformed of a resinous material compatible with the material from whichthe strap is formed to enable heat weldin the strap to the bar.

The foregoing as well as other objects will be made more apparent asthis description proceeds, especially when considered in connection withthe accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is an elevational view of a belt structure embodying thefeatures of this invention;

Figure 2 is an elevational view showing the ends of the belt strapattached together by a buckle;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 33of Figure 1; and I Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line ll ofFigure 2.

The belt shown in the several figures of the drawing comprises a strapHi and a buckle H. The strap ill may be formed of various differentmaterials having; the required strength, but in the present instance, ispreferably formed of a thermoplastic resin capable of being extruded orotherwise inexpensively produced in ribbon-l-ike strips. Althoughvarious different types of plastics or resins are capable of being usedto form the strap Ill, particularly satisfactory results have beenobtained by employing thermoplastic materials such, for example, asvinyl resins. Vinyl resins may be economically extruded into relativelythin strips having considerable strength and dimensional stability.Also, vinyl resins may be produced in a variety of colors and havevirtually no water absorption. Thus the strap may be laundered r cleanedby merely sponging the same with hot soapy water.

The buckle may also be formed of a wide variety of materials includingdifferent types of resin or plastics. Acetate, methyl-methacrylate,styrene, and/or phenolic resins are among those that lend themselvesreadily to fabrication into a buckle of the type about to be described.Methylmethacrylate or styrene resins are preferred, because this resinmay be economically fabricated and provides a very attractivetransparent, translucent or opaque buckle;

' Referring more in detail to the buckle construction, it will be notedthat the latter comprises an elongated frame I2 having an opening andhaving a transverse bar I3 dividing the opening into two adjacent slotsI4 and I5. One end I6 of the strap II! is threaded through the buckle byextending the end I6 through the slot I4 from the inner side of thebuckle to the outer side of the latter and then returning the end I6back to the inner side of the buckle through the slot I5. The end I6extends along the inner side of the buckle frame to a point slightlybeyond the bar I! and acts as a pilot to guide the free end portion I8of the strap into the slot I of the buckle. It will also be noted thatthe end portion I5 of the strap is permanently secured to the bar I3 ofthe buckle. In cases Where the buckle or bar I3 is formed of a plasticcompatible with the resin from which the strap I6 is formed, it ispossible to bond or heat weld the strap directly to the bar I3. However,if the buckle is formed of a material having different characteristicsthan the resin from which the strap is formed, the bar I 3 is preferablyprovided with a compatible resin coating I9 to enable integrally bondingthe strap to the bar. For example, if the strap is formed of a Vinylresin, a coating of the same resin may be applied to the bar I3 of thebuckle and the strap may then be readily heat welded to the bar. In somecases, however, it may be expedient to rivet or otherwise fix the strapto the bar I3 on the buckle.

The free end portion I B of the strap is threaded through the buckle insuperposed relation to the end portion It by first extending the end I8through the slot I5 from the inner side of the buckle and then returningthe end I8 to the inner side through the slot I4. Thus, the end portionI8 of the strap overlies the end portion I6 at opposite sides of thedivision bar I3 and the end portion It forms a bearing for the strapthroughout the full length of the buckle. In other words, the portion ofthe belt threaded through the buckle frictionally engages the endportion I6 of the strap throughout the length of the buckle and, as aresult, the end portion I8 of the strap is effectively held againstshifting movement in a direction to release the same from the buckle.Actually, this extended bearing engagement of the end portion I8 withthe end portion I6 tends to equalize the stresses at opposite sides ofthe buckle bar I3 and acts to prevent twisting, cooking or deformationof the strap by the buckle. The appearance of the belt in use is therebynot only greatly improved, but in addition, wear of the strap isappreciably reduced.

With a belt structure of the above general type, it is possible toreduce the length of the strap without disturbing the connection betweenthe strap and buckle by merely cutting the required amount of materialfrom the free end portion I8 ofthe strap. Also adjustment of the size ofthe belt is not restricted to preselected dimensions as any size withinthe limits of the length of the strap may be readily secured by merelyrelatively moving the free end portion I8 relative to the buckle II.Moreover, the number of operations required to fashion the belt isreduced to a minmum and as a result, the belt may be inexpensivelyproduced on a production basis.

What I claim as m invention is:

1. A belt comprising a buckle having an opening and having a cross bardividing the opening into two adjacent slots, 2. flexible strap ofresinous material having one end projecting outwardly from the innerside of the buckle through one of the slots to the outer side of thebuckle and extending over the cross bar back through the second slot tothe inner side of the buckle, and

a covering for the bar of resinous material compatible with the materialfrom which the strap is formed and heat welded to the adjacent portionof the strap.

2. A belt structure comprising a buckle and a strap of the samematerial, the buckle having an elongated open frame provided with acenter cross bar, said frame'and cross bar cooperating with each otherto provide slots upon opposite sides of said cross bar, the strap beingentirely free of lateral projections and openings and having overlappingend portions in surface to surface frictional engagement with each otherthroughout the length of the frame, said overlapping end portionsextending over the inner side of said frame at opposite ends thereof andextending outwardly through said slots and overlying the outer side ofsaid cross bar, the outer side of said cross bar being rigidly attachedin surface to surface relation to the innermost of said end portions ata point spaced from the tip thereof, whereby said tip extends freelyover an end of said frame, the outermost of said end portions beingunattached and extending between said innermost end portion and oppositeends of the frame, the arrangement of said outermost end portion betweensaid innermost end portion and opposite ends of the frame being suchthat said innermost end portion cooperates with the end portions of theframe to guide and clamp the outermost end portion therebetween.

3. A belt structure comprising a buckle anda strap, the buckle having anelongated open frame provided with a center cross bar, said frame andcross bar cooperating with each other to provide slots upon oppositesides of said cross bar, the strap being entirely fee of lateralprojections and openings and having overlapping end portions in surfaceto surface frictional engagement with each other throughout the lengthof the frame, said overlapping end portions extending over the innerside of said frame at opposite ends thereof and extending outwardlythrough said slots and overlying the outer side of said cross bar, theouter side of said cross bar being rigidly attached to the innermost ofsaid end portions at a point spaced from the tip thereof, whereby saidtip extends freely over an end of said frame, the

outermost of said end portions being unattached and extending betweensaid innermost end portion and opposite ends of the frame, thearrangement of said outermost end portion between said innermost endportion and opposite ends of the frame being such that said innermostend portion cooperates with the end portions of the frame to guide andclamp the outermost end portion therebetween.

4. A belt comprising a buckle having an opening and having a cross bardividing the opening into two adjacent slots, a flexible strap having anend portion projecting outwardly from the inner side of the bucklethrough one slOt to the outer side of the buckle and extending over thecross bar back through the second slot to the inner side of the buckle,the portion of the strap engaging the cross bar being permanentlysecured to the latter, the adjacent tip of the strap projecting freelyover the adjacent end of the buckle for guiding the opposite free endportion of the strap therebetween.

5. A belt comprising a buckle having an opening and having a cross bardividing the opening into two adjacent slots, a flexible strap having anend portion projecting outwardly from the inner side of the bucklethrough one slot to the outer side of the buckle and extending over thecross bar back through the second slot to the inner side of the buckle,the portion of the strap engaging the cross bar being permanentlysecured to the latter, the opposite free end portion of the strapextending through the second slot from the inner side of the buckle tothe outer side of the latter and back to the inner side of the bucklethrough the first slot whereby said free end portion overlies andfrictionally engages the first end portion of the strap throughout thelength of said buckle.

6. A belt comprising a buckle having an opening and having a cross bardividing the opening into two adjacent slots, a flexible strap ofresinous material having an end portion projecting outwardly from theinner side of the buckle through one of the slots to the outer side ofthe buckle and extending over the cross bar back through the second slotto the inner side of the buckle, a covering for the bar of resinousmaterial compatible with the material from which the strap is formed andheat welded to the overlying portion of the strap, the end portionaforesaid of the strap projecting freely over the adjacent end of thebuckle for guiding the opposite free end portion of the straptherebetween. said free end portion being in frictional engagement withthe first mentioned end portion and clamped thereby against oppositeends of said buckle.

7. A belt comprising a buckle having an open frame and having a crossbar dividing the opening into two slots, a flexible strap having one endportion projecting outwardly from the inner side of the frame throughone of the slots to the outer side of the frame and extending over thecross bar back through the other slot to the inner side of the frame andhaving the portion registering with the cross bar secured thereto, theend aforesaid of the strap overlying the inner side of the adjacent endof the frame and being free from connection with the frame to provide aguide for directing the other end of the strap through the frame inoverlapping relation to the first named end portion of the strap.

8. A belt comprising a strap of resinous material and a buckle in theform of an open frame divided into laterally spaced slots by a cross barhaving an outer surface of resinous material compatible with thematerial from which the strap is formed, said strap having one endportion projecting outwardly from the inner side of the frame throughone slot to the outer side of the frame and extending over the cross barback through the other slot to the inner side of the frame and havingthe portion registering with the cross bar heat welded to the adjacentresinous surface of the cross bar, the end aforesaid of the strapoverlying the inner side of the adjacent end of the frame and being freefrom connection with the frame to provide a guide for directing theother end of the strap through the frame in overlapping relation to thefirst named end portion of the strap.

GEORGE W. DELANO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,202,644 Blossom May 28, 19402,392,761 Pease Jan. 8, 1946

